Windhoek
The 35th Ordinary Meeting of the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, Botswana, early this week took a number of resolutions and listed below are some of the declarations.
– The Summit commended the people and governments of the six SADC Member States, namely, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia for holding peaceful, free, fair and credible elections during the last twelve months.
– The Summit congratulated their Excellencies Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, Dr Hage G. Geingob, Edgar Lungu, the Rt Hon. Anerood Jugnauth and Rt Hon. Pakalitha Mosisili for emerging victorious in the elections held in their respective countries.
– The Summit received a Report of the Outgoing Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, H.E. Jacob G. Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, and commended him for successfully steering the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation during his term of office.
– The Summit noted the significant improvement in the security situation in DRC, coupled with strengthening of FARDC operational capabilities and the need to support the progressive downsizing of MONUSCO troops in DRC.
– The Summit urged the International Community to support the administration of the Transit Camps in DRC, and facilitate the repatriation to Rwanda of the already disarmed ex-combatants or their resettlement in a third country. Summit also commended the Government of DRC for its commitment to implement the Nairobi Declaration.
– The Summit called upon the Government of Madagascar and all political key stakeholders to safeguard achievements made in nation building and reconciliation by fully implementing the SADC roadmap for Madagascar.
– The Summit urged the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and all political parties and key stakeholders to develop a roadmap to implement Constitutional and Security Sector reforms as a matter of urgency, and pledged to continue to support the Kingdom of Lesotho in this regard.
– The Summit re-affirmed the approved Terms of Reference of the Commission of Inquiry and strongly urged the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho to gazette the Terms of Reference of the Commission as approved.
– It took cognisance that Terrorism is a global threat and that the region needs to have a common and coordinated approach to prevent and combat acts of international and domestic terrorism; furthermore Summit approved the SADC Regional Counter Terrorism Strategy.
– The Summit noted the critical role played by macroeconomic convergence programmes in facilitating stability and deepening market and financial integration, and urged Member States to intensify and consistently implement regional policies and programmes as well as Member States’ economic reforms, plans and strategies to resolve the challenges affecting SADC economies for a sustainable growth path.
– The Summit noted progress in the implementation of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2015-2020 and of the Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, and resolved to continuously monitor the actualization of key milestones at its Ordinary Summits;
– It noted the need to explore sustainable ways of financing SADC programmes, in particular the implementation of the Revised RISDP and Industrialisation Strategy. To this end, it directed Council to finalise on-going work on alternative sources of funding and report to the next Ordinary Summit.
– The Summit resolved to scale up implementation of regional infrastructure as a key enabler to economic integration in support of industrialization.
– The Summit noted progress made with regard to representation of women in political and decision making positions and commended Member States that have achieved high female representation at State leadership, Legislature and Judiciary levels, and other senior positions both in the public and private sector. Summit further urged Member States to adopt appropriate measures to improve and sustain these achievements.
– The Summit noted the regional food security situation which indicated a decline in overall cereal production and availability, largely due to unfavourable weather conditions, which were characterised by prolonged dry spells, floods and cyclones. As a result, the region will require food and other humanitarian assistance during the 2015/2016 marketing year. Member States were urged to continue implementing the Regional Agriculture Policy and relevant protocols in order to improve agricultural production and food security.